When it is not possible to make saving claims – when you have indisputably paid full price for something undeniably expensive – you should ideally just keep quiet about it. Failing that, you have two options, both very English: either apologize or moan. You can apologize for your embarrassing extravagance (‘Oh dear, I know I shouldn’t have, it was terribly expensive, just couldn’t resist it, very naughty of me . . .’) or you can moan and grumble about the extortionate cost of things (‘Ridiculously expensive, don’t know how they get away with charging that much, stupid prices, rip-off . . .’)